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I am 5months post op gastric bypass and 5weeks 5days pregnant. I am trying to get an abortion but not sure which is more risky....surgical abortion or the medical pills. Please help. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I'll be getting a band to sleeve revision on Sept 11 in Tijuana with Dr. Altamirano. I'm so excited!

My revision from band to sleeve is finally scheduled! September 9! It bums me out that it's not sooner. I started this journey in February of this year. I've jumped through all the insurance hoops and now I still have to wait due to surgeon being busy ????. I have to keep telling myself that September will be here before I know it and he must be good since he so busy. Lol

I was banded 2/1 and have lost 11 lbs this week! I know of course that this pace will REALLY slow down but I have a question for those more experienced. A dear friend who I confided in about my surgery related that several of her friends had "surgery" and were initially very happy with the results. However, over time they all reverted back to their original way of eating and "stretched out their stomachs", returning to pre-surgical weight. I am confused as to how this is even possible? I certainly understand if you exist on high calorie "slider food" and deliberately try to eat around the restriction the band provides, but this just seems so willful and possibly painful that I can't imagine it. Is this as prevalent as my friend portrayed it? I thought this was more of an issue with gastric bypass (Carnie Wilson) but that the adjustability of the band would prevent much of this. Am I wrong?

Well I was banded May 16th. I was the very last surgery of the day so I had fasted from Midnight till my surgery which was performed finally at 7:00 PM in the evening . It was a long day. I had gastric bypass revision lap band surgery so I had a lot of scar tissue that needed to be scraped away. I flew home the next day with some discomfort but nothing severe at all. I am more plagued by the opposite of consitpation and thought it might have been the stuff I had to drink down quickly when they checked to make sure the band was in place and no leaks when they xrayed me. Gas is minimal but it was never drastic. It was there but walk walk walk and the gas strips helped me. My port site is pretty sore and bruised and I have changed bandages it seems clean and the drain site is the worst looking right now. Anyone know when it would be safe to add sugar free fudgesicles as I am sooooo tired of sf ice pops..need to TASTE something..but I so cautious and have had only clear liquids ie..broth , water and the sf ice pops so far....not craving food food yet at all....except for some reason ...cream of wheat..lol...

Mine is August 11 for bypass...i just started this journey in May. It is happening all so quick....hard to wrap my head around it.

Although my insurance has approved my surgery, I have these very same thoughts every single day, with one exception; I was originally interested in gastric bypass. I try to mentally work through these negative thoughts each time they enter my head, and fortunately, as my surgery nears, the thoughts are much easier to push aside because I know definitively this is what I want to do. I may not be successful with the band, but I am going to work my hardest to follow the rules. If I am not successful, it will not be the first time I have failed, and I will evaluate what went wrong and move on to Plan B. However, there are many individuals who have been successful with the band, and I am hopeful that I will be able to join their group, too. My surgeon says that band will work for me, and I trust he has the experience to make the best decision with the facts I have provided. Research shows the odds are in our favor. I'm confident we can do this, but I think it's only natural that we have doubts because of our past histories.

I had rny bypass by dr nicholson December 30th. I stayed 2 nights in hospital - my pain is still tremendous. Only relief I get is when I'm on my back. Sitting, standing, getting up, getting down... All hurt me SO bad. Idk if I have low pain tolerance or what but I feel like it's not even getting a little better. sandy called me today to check on me and I told her I can't get control of my pain she wants me back in the clinic tomorrow. I feel like such a wus... But I can't get any relief other then when I lay down

I agree with make 33, take your husband and son to an informational seminar with you. My husband wasn't keen on me having lap-band surgery, but he went with me to the informational seminar and then he supported me 100%. A lot of people hear "weight loss surgery" and think it's all drastic like the bypass. The seminar will help answer their questions and calm their fears.

Hello out there! I am expecting to get banded this summer. Has anyone gone through Dr. Dent in Ottawa (Ontario, Canada) for the recomendation to Dr. Graber in Utica (New York, USA)? Also, Dr. Dent is recommending the RNY bypass, but I would really prefer the Lap Band from all I've read. It seems a little less invasive and leaves you with a slightly more normal lifestyle. (From what I understand bypass, never any caffiene or alcohol, but with lap band 1 or 2 glasses of wine occasionally is ok and coffee is tolerable for many). Any comments would be appreciated!

"Among all patients, the rates of 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year<SUP> </SUP>mortality were 2.0%, 2.8%, and 4.6%, respectively. Advancing<SUP> </SUP>age and male sex were associated with early death after bariatric<SUP> </SUP>surgery (Table 2), with the highest rates of early mortality<SUP> </SUP>identified among older men. Overall, men were much more likely<SUP> </SUP>to die after bariatric surgery than women (3.7% vs 1.5%, 4.8%<SUP> </SUP>vs 2.1%, and 7.5% vs 3.7% for men and women at 30 days, 90 days,<SUP> </SUP>and 1 year, respectively; P<.001 for all time points). Mortality<SUP> </SUP>rates were greater for those aged 65 years or older (n = 1517)<SUP> </SUP>compared with younger patients (4.8% vs 1.7%, 6.9% vs 2.3%,<SUP> </SUP>and 11.1% vs 3.9% at 30 days, 90 days, and 1 year, respectively;<SUP> </SUP>P<.001 for all time points). We found no differences in early<SUP> </SUP>mortality rates between patients who had primary vs revision<SUP> </SUP>surgery (2.0% vs 1.5%, 2.8% vs 2.2%, and 4.6% vs 4.3% at 30<SUP> </SUP>days, 90 days, and 1 year, respectively; all P>.10" "Patients undergoing procedures by surgeons with lower volume<SUP> </SUP>of bariatric procedures (less than the median of surgical volume<SUP> </SUP>among Medicare beneficiaries between 1997-2003) had a higher<SUP> </SUP>rate of mortality than those with at least median experience<SUP> </SUP>(3.3% vs 2.0%; P<.001). Patients aged 65 years or older had<SUP> </SUP>much higher rates of early death when undergoing surgery by<SUP> </SUP>surgeons within the lowest quartile of volume (Table 4) compared<SUP> </SUP>with those in the highest quartile (9% vs 1.1% at 30 days and<SUP> </SUP>13.8% vs 1.1% at 90 days; P<.001). Surgeons in the highest<SUP> </SUP>quartile of bariatric procedure volume had similar rates of<SUP> </SUP>early mortality in both younger and older patients (1.8% 90-day<SUP> </SUP>mortality in patients <65 years and 1.1% mortality in patients<SUP> </SUP>65 years; P = .40). The higher overall rates of death<SUP> </SUP>among older patients were attributable in part to a higher proportion<SUP> </SUP>(36%) of older patients undergoing surgery by surgeons within<SUP> </SUP>the lowest quartile of bariatric surgery volume compared with<SUP> </SUP>younger patients. The odds of a 90-day death were 1.6 times<SUP> </SUP>higher for patients of surgeons with lower volume (less than<SUP> </SUP>the median) after adjusting for age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity<SUP> </SUP>Index score (95% CI, 1.3-2.0).<SUP> "</SUP> <SUP></SUP> <SUP>"</SUP>The hazard ratio for death (Figure) at any time after the procedure<SUP> </SUP>was 2.3 times greater for patients aged 65 years or older compared<SUP> </SUP>with younger patients (95% CI, 2.0-2.7), with 9.5% 5-year mortality<SUP> </SUP>in younger patients compared with 21.6% mortality in the older<SUP> </SUP>cohort (P<.001). The odds of 90-day death did not change<SUP> </SUP>significantly based on the year the procedure was performed,<SUP> </SUP>even after controlling for patient age, sex, and Charlson Comorbidity<SUP> </SUP>Index score (odds ratio, 1.0; 95% CI, 0.9-1.0).<SUP> "</SUP>

Hello All, Just wanted to introduce myself.... My name is Shae and I have been reading your message boards for a month or so... you all have so much helpful information and Its great to read 'first hand experiences". I am 28 years old, and live in the Bay Area, Cali. I have been overweight my entire life.. can remember being put on diets in the first grade. I did have one successful weight loss about 2 1/2 years ago and dropped over 100 lbs... but quickly regained it... the 'feeling of full' is something i have the hardest time with. So, after reading about gastric bypass and lapband, I have decided lapband is the way for me... I have almost completed my pre-op tests.. 1. abdominal ultrasound-found gallstones.. but will wait till after surgery to remove if necessary 2. echocardio-done 3. ekg-done 4. 2 nutritional consults-done 5. primary physical and letter-done 6. Overnight sleep study- next week 7. Psych eval- TBA 8. Bloodwork-next week. Because I am currently on UHC EPO, I have switched to PPO to cover the Doctor I will be using ( Dr. Mckeen in San Jose, California). So, after open enrollement this month, it will take effect Jan. 1st, 2005. I hope to be in by the end of the month! I am excited about this life change, and I think the holiday season will make the time go by quickly...but on the other hand im VERY nervous. Surgery will Scare the heck out of me, but also scared about pain after and FILLS. The whole needle thing I will HAVE to get used too. lol. Just wanted to introduce myself, and am very happy i found you all on here.. You are all such an inspiration... my heros.. hehe. I wish you all continued success! Sweetness

Yes! I just had yet... another scope, (my 14th. in less than 6 yrs.) due to urping, puking my food and constant nausea. My Dr. expected to stretch a stricture again and to take a peek at my ulcer... possibly schedule for a joint revision... (re-do surgery.) Ulcer has healed, no strictures... BUT I now have an, "extended, candy cane limb." So I'll be having a barium swallow, (again!) soon so he can decide if that's causing my nausea, small food consumption, puking and urping. So I guess it's likely for a surgical procedure for that as well. Geeze!

I made the decision for me it wasn't worth it... But as for the running/training it's at least 6 weeks post op before you can run again, often 8 depending on your surgeon. I would wait till after the half marathon!!! In fact I scheduled all my plastics around my running schedule. Had them 10 days after my first marathon so I could take time to recover from both! I still haven't had a small scar (dog ear) revision done because I haven't found a break long enough in my running schedule!

Hi everyone, I've had consults with 2 different plastic surgeons and one surgeon won't do a TT/BL at the same time as it's 'too much t do at once' and the other will. The only 2 ops I've ever had are my bypass last year and gallbladder removal last week. I healed well after each operation, but struggled emotionally coming out of the anaesthetic. I hate the feeling! This makes me think it would be wise to do it in one operation....along with reducing the overall cost and recovery time. On the other hand, I'm worried the recovery will be too painful & I won't have a carer at my beck and call. I felt a better vibe/connection with the surgeon who wants to perform them separately. Should this be the deciding factor? So confused. Any hints that will help me decide? (BTW- I've gone from 250 to 150). Thanks in advance!

Hey keep your head up I had my bypass surgery on the 25th of May and I'm already down 20 pounds keep your head up and stay focused keep yourself around people who are positive and don't let those little mind games have an effect on you you pretty much are having the opportunity like all of us to hit the reset button on the computer sometimes we have to shut the computer down and reboot it so that we can get back on track and that is exactly what it's going on stay focused and stay encouraged Sent from my SM-G935P using BariatricPal mobile app

I too am having bypass after having the band, lost 80 pounds, then it slipped, started gaining weight, had it removed, same time had the sleeve but it didn't work, still gaining weight, never lost any weight, plus bad acid reflux and dr said I probably have hernia. going in on Sept. 25 the to be checked & get bypass done! Can't wait!!

After months of googling information, I finally decided to join this forum [emoji4] I am soooooooooo excited but very nervous bout getting the gastric bypass. I have Anthem BSBC and it requires 6 months of consecutive weigh-in attempts with my PCP. I am nervous because last month I actually gained 5lbs. Although they said I did not have to lose any weight throughout those visits, I'm afraid that will give them a reason to deny me. Can someone with Anthem insurance let me know how long it took to receive an approval? Was the process smooth for you? My patient advocate said she would send the paper work in as soon as I get the last weight attempt sheet faxed over. I really want to get approved so I can go ahead and have the surgery in January.

Yay, go you! Impressive! Yea no complications here either- lucky. I put side by side pics of my face together a few weeks ago- crazy differences Go us Keep it up and keep posting HW 242, SW 236- (Bypass 12/20/17) GW#1- 199 [emoji736] (2/11/18) GW#2- 180 [emoji736] (4/2/18) GW#3- 160 CW 178 5’6”

Hello I’m new to this app. Going to have my revision March 1..

Hey there! Great Loss you are not far after me. I had my revision to bypass 9/10. Was all you weigh loss after surgery? Or was some of the 70lbs preop? If you don't mind me asking. I have lost 47 lbs but 15 was preop and 32lb has been post op.

Last week was absolutely awful, but this week is so amazing. I had no idea how I was going to stop the cravings and control myself, but I went through the sugar withdrawals and I'm on the other side. I feel like I have more energy, I'm happier, I'm more alert and less foggy headed. I feel great. Tell me, do I feel like this after bypass too? Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is a good thread. The games my mind has played on me is substantial. Remember, we can be our own worst enemy sometimes, and I'm betting that the life you've led prior to this has allowed you to beat yourself up on a regular basis. I'm 7 weeks out of full bypass and it's been much more difficult than I anticipated. First, I have had complications that only added to the stress but I can say that Ive had serious regrets over the last 7 weeks. Some of us out here seem to breeze through the surgery and have very few problems. Others have significant problems. The weakness, the nausea, the inability to eat, drink, swallow, taste, the mood swings, the headaches, sleeping in recliners... on an on. This has been terribly difficult but now, 7 weeks out I can finally say that it's getting better. Sure i've lost 38 pounds, but during the really rough times, that's so far down the list of things I cared about. This process isn't easy, it's definitely not the easy way out. It's life altering and we have to take it slow and make it a personal journey that we must work through without the negativity the world can sometimes throw at us. One day at a time!

Hey everyone! Today is exactly 4 months since my gastric bypass....I have lost exactly 50 lbs since surgery and 80 lbs total since I started this journey....I had a very rough month of April battling horrible diarrhea and then constipation! Finally for the past few weeks now I'm starting to feel somewhat back to normal [emoji3]....I have yet to start a regular exercise routine ...I know that's bad!! If only the weight would fall off as fast as my hair is lately! [emoji15][emoji37] Anyway..I would like to thank everyone for helping me along the way with any advice you have given to me...I find a lot of great information here...along with some humor and drama...makes for good entertainment at times...lol

The band can give you portion control *if* you've hit your sweet spot. At 7cc I still haven't hit mine and at 8.5cc I was too full. The band has yet to work for me as promised. I don't have any restriction and am not planning on getting any more fills because when I went above 7cc last time, I could no longer eat most Proteins or most vegies. Unfortunately I still had no problems eating potatoes, Pasta and rice. I've come to the conclusion that I'm pretty much on my own and have seriously been debating surgery to remove the band since it does cause some discomfort every now and again as it rubs under the skin. I've recently discovered that my problem is that I am addicted to carbs in the same manner that alcoholics are addicted to alcohol. If I stay away from them completely (except in low carb vegies and fruit) and keep my carbs under 35gm a day, I'm no longer hungry or craving. I lost 70 lbs 7 years ago and have kept it off and I guess I'll just have to do that again. So when I get down to 140, I will not give credit to the band as it will have had nothing to do with it. I know this isn't a popular view here but take a look around...there are an awful lot of people who are not losing. Kudos and congratulations for those who do, but the many people here who aren't losing is proof that the band may not work for everyone...just like JC, WW, bypass, etc. doesn't work for all who try it. Sara Rue obviously was not successful with her band so if she loses weight with JC, it will be JC that gets the credit as the right tool...for her. <done> .